A HUSH-HUSH deal to re-open the former Woolworths store in Nuneaton is to be discussed at a full meeting of the borough council today.

Moves have been made to find new tenants to take over the Queen’s Road premises, which have stood empty since the company went into liquidation 18 months ago.

Details of what sort of business could move into the store have been kept under wraps, with cabinet members of the previous Tory administration insisting the matter remained confidential “because of the delicate nature of the negotiations”.

It was understood that up to £1m of borough council money could be used to carry out repair work and refurbishment of the large store, which fronts one end of Ropewalk.

The item was on the agenda for Labour’s first cabinet meeting this week since reclaiming control of the council, and was again heard behind closed doors.

But council leader Dennis Harvey revealed that it was now being referred to a full council meeting next Thursday, without any recommendation from the cabinet.

He said: “We feel it is a really important decision, involving a great deal of money and everyone in the council should be able to have the opportunity to have their say on the matter.

“We cannot disclose what sort of business is involved because this is confidential information.

“The receiver is involved and we have talked about discussions he has had with various bodies which must remain confidential. The only information we can give is that we are talking about retail development.”

Coun Harvey added that certain information would remain confidential even when it was raised at the full council meeting.

“The situation has changed slightly since it came before the previous cabinet and we want councillors to be fully aware of that and to have proper officer briefings, rather than it come from just the six cabinet members,” he said.